The common wild rats is named the Norway Grey rat or Brown rat but are most commonly named from theur place of habbit, for example sewer rat, alley rat and wharf rat.
And then there's the standard pet rat, the Rattus Norvegicus.
The Rattus Norvegicus coats are normally reconised by two types, spotted and solid.
SPOTTED RATS
There are four types of spotted rat with the most common being the hooded rat. (which is what Harvey is) The hooded rats have white bodies with a dark head and shoulder with a stripe running down their back.
Similar to the hooded rat isthe notched rats, these rats have a smaller hood with no stripe.
The third pattern is a very rare rat which will hardley ever appear in pet shops.
This type of rat is all white except for little colour around the eye's and ears.
Then theres the Irish rat which is white except for spots on the belly and chest.
SOLID RATS
Solid rats are found in many different colours - darkbrown, black, chocolate, lavender (very light grey almost blue), grey, yellow. sand, lilac, silver and then theres the Albino which have no pigment at all.
The hair of rats can also be different, some curley, coarse, smooth or straight.
These are just some good things to look out for whwn choosing a rat.
CHOOSING A RAT
There are heaps of good reasons to choose a rat as they cost litle, don't take up to much space and eat just about anything you do.
But just before you get one you have to ask yourself a few questions:
Will you be able to care for your rat all the time, even when you got on holidays?
Do you have enough money to support your rat?
If your rat gets sick can you look after it?
Do you have to time to exercise and feed your rat?
NOW IT'S TIME TO CHOOSE YOUR RAT
Many petshops keep rats and are around 9 to 11 dollars or you may be able to get one chaper from a private breeder.
When choosing a rat it's good to get one about one month old as it will be much easier to tame than one three or four months old.
Their is little difference between female and male rats as both will be equally the same in exploring, being carried or hand-fed. This may change when having two rats as mature males will fight more with others and may cause injury. This is only likely to occur if the habbit is too small.
Your rat should be free of flacky skin, wounds, bald patches and also should not limp.
Check the rats habbit, is it fresh and clean? You may also want to ask the shop owner how old they are. Also look for clean eyed rats that look healthy and inquisitive.
Then choose the handsomest, smartest rat their.
